Condensing apparatus for steam motor-carriages.



0. c. WORTHINGTON. GONDENSING APPARATUS FOB. STEAM MOTOR CARRIAGES.

v APPLICATION FILED JAN.27, 1909. 1,072,894, Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

0. 0. WORTHINGTON.

GONDENSING APPARATUS FOR STEAM MOTOR GARRIAGES. APPLICATION FILEDJAN.27, 1909.

2 SHEET8-SHEET 2.

52 (y /i r: I lgw/xzcl ol @IAW J CHARLES C. WORTHINGTON,

OF DUNNFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

connnnsme APPARATUS roe s rmu MQTOIt-QARRIAGES.

Specification of Letters 2am.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

Applicationv filed January 27, .9 3- S ri l No 47% 82- To all whom itmay concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES C. WORTH- ine'ron, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Dunnfield, in thecounty of Warren and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CondensingApparatus for Steam Motor- Carriages, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

The object of my invention is to rovide. improved means for effectivelycon ensing all the steam used in the engine of a m tor carriage andreturning to the water supply tank withoutthe intervention of a pump,practically all of the water evaporated in the boiler.v

Another object is to increase the available condensing surface-beyondthat obtainable in the forward locationwithout detracting from theappearance of the carriage,.and at the same time retainingall thebenefits of the circulation of cooling air, due to the forward motion ofthe carriage.

In the present invention the apparatus is so arranged that the steamexhausted by the engine is successively passed through two or morecondensers, each condenser being so placed. that it is brought incontact with a fresh and cool supply of air. Provision is also made forforcing the condensed water into. the water supply tank, without the useof a pump.

This invention consists in the novel construction and combination of theseveral parts of the mechanism as set forth and described in thefollowing specification and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, "Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view with some ofthe parts in elevation, of an apparatus constructed in ad cordance withthe principles of this invention. Fig. 2 is an irregular sectional viewtaken on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows an elevation of one of thecondensers.

Referring to the arts by letters, and in the present exeni li cation ofthe invention: B represents the oiler or generator, C represents thefirst condenser in the series, and C represents the second condenser,one of which is preferably located at the front of the vehicle and theother to the rear of and spaced from the first condenser.

E represents the engine, which may be supported in any desired manner bythe framework of the vehicle.

F and F represent two fans, the shafts of which are journaled insuitable bearings. One of the fans is located in close proximity to andin the rear of each of the condensers to constantly furnish a freshsupply of air to the outsideof the condenser. These fans may be drivenin any desired or suitable the. fan 15" in'a downward direction so thatit will pass out under the carriage.

T represents a trap where the condensed water is collected and forcedinto the'water supply tank W to which the trap. isconnected by means ofa suitable pipe V which leads from the tra and terminates adjacent theupper art 0. the water supply tank.

This pipe may be of any desired length,"

but is of such a length as to extend above the water supply in the tank.The tank is also. rovided' with an outlet pipe A, one end of \v .ichprojects beyond the tank to permit the escape of any uncondensed vapors.The

other end projects into the tank and terminates above the highest levelof'thewater it is desired to maintain in the tank. A suitable closure Ais provided for the tank, and a supply 0 ening A may be arranged in theclosure. his tank may be located at ,any desired or convenient place,preferably under the seat of the vehicle.

H re aresents a detachable hood covering the boiler 01" generator B andextending from the upper portionlof the condenser C to the upper portionof the condenser C The partition or shield P is preferably attachedtoand supported by the hood H, so that when the hood is removed, thepartition P is removed with it, thereby affording convenient access tothe boiler B and the ad acent apparatus. The hood is preferablyprovid'ed with openings 0 for admitting the atmosphere to the space backof the partition or shield P, and which is drawn against the condenser Cby the fan F A pipe G is provided which connects the exhaust outlet ofthe engine E with the upper portion of the condenser C for conveying theexhaust steam from the engine to the condenser. The condenser C isprovided with a lower chamber designated generally by the referencecharacter G which chamber is divided by a partition L into two comartments M, N, one of the compartments l\ being provided with a supplyinlet opening M, and the other compartment being provided withadischarge outlet N (see Fig. 3). This condenser is also provided withan upper chamber J which chamber has communication with the twocompartments M, N through the medium .of the connecting tubes of thecondenser C A pipe S connects the lower portion of the condenser C withthe inlet compartment M of the chamber C", and a pipe K connects the,outlet compartment N of the chamber C with the trap T.

The operation of this improved apparatus is as follows; The exhauststeam from the engine E is carried by the pipe G to the top of thecondenser C, which is constantly kept in contact with a fresh supply ofair drawn from in front of the carriage by means of the fan F.- The airbeing drawn between the tubes of the condenser C will circulate freelyaround the tubes of the'condenser before it passes to the fan F. As theair passes the fan F, it will be forced backward against the partitionor shield P,

which prevents this air which has become heated by its contact with thecondenser tubes from passing backward to the condensers C but directs itdownward unde1'-' neath the carriage where it freely escapes with thegases from the boiler B. At times the cooling effect of the aircirculating around the tubes of condenser C is sufiicient to condense inthe condenser 0 all of the steam from the engine. When, however, theengine E is operated at approximately its full power, a larger amount ofsteam will be used and at such times a part only of the steam will becondensed in the condenser C. The remainder will be partially cooled andcarried with the condensed water to th.e condenser C by the pipe S. Inorder to insure that condenser C shall be kept in constant contact witha fresh supply of air drawn from the atmosphere, there are providedopenings O in-the sides and top of the hood H, which are located back ofthe partition P, so as to prevent any possibility of the heated airpassing from condenser C coming in contact with this fresh supply ofair. hose openin s O are preferably made with wings incline fonward insuch form as to collect the air as the carriage moves for ward anddirect it through the openings 0 to the inner side of the hood H, thusaugmenting the action of the fan F This location of the openings back ofthe partition P is a feature of the invention. The air entering throughthe openings 0 passes around the tubes of the condenser C causingafurther condensation of the steam to take place in this condenser. Thefluid passing from the condenser C enters the compartment M of thesecond condenser and flows upward through some of the tubes of thecondenser C into the chamber J. If any steam then remains, it passesalso to the chamber J and with it all the water of condensationl thathas thus far been formed. From the chamber J the condensed water, theremaining steam, and the uncondensed vapor then pass downward to thecompartment N through the remaining tubes of condenser C The remainingsteam is there condensed, all of the condensed water then flowing out ofthe chamber N through the pipe K and into the trap T. The air which hasbecome heated by its contact withthe tubes in condenser C is forced bythe fan F against the partition'or shield P from which it passes in adownward direction and escapes beneath the carriage. The partition orshield P? is located so that it may be used also as the dash board forthe vehicle and affords a convenient place for mounting the variousinstruments and gages.

With the improved construction of the partition or shield P, it will beapparent that when the vehicle is at rest, the heat of products ofcombustion will be prevented from rising into the faces of the occupantsof the vehicle, inasmuch as they will be de flected by the partition orshield toward the front of the vehicle and away from the occupants. Whenthe vehicle is in motion the products of combustion will be caused toflow in the opposite direction to be discharged beneath the vehicle.

In stealn motor carriages it has been found necessary to have the watersupply 'tank located at a point above the level of limits it is found inpractice that with the tank located above the pump, it in all cases isabove the level of the outlet of the condensing apparatus from which thewater of condensation issues to be returned to the tank. Insystemsheretofore-employed this water has been lifted from the lower level ofthis outlet to the tank by means of' pump. Any derangement of this pumpmay be followed by serious consequences to of the water, the gradualstoppage of the the invention there is shown and described.

exhaust flow and the back pressure resulting therefrom unless a reliefvalve is provided to permit the water and back pressure to cscape'andto'give notice to the driver that such derangement has occurred.

One of the objects ofthis invention is to substitute for this expensiveand unreliable set of mechanism a simple and unfailingmethod ofreturning the condensed water to the tank and of preventing allaccumulation of dangerous back pressure. When the condensed water flowsinto the trap T, it settles to the bottom ofthe trap and graduallyrising around and inside the; pipe V, forms a water seal at the bottomof the pipe V, causing the urn condensable vapors remaining in thecirculation to collect'throughout the system and at the top of the trapT until back pressure has accumulated of sufficient force to overcomethe slight resistance due to the height of the pipe V. The water thathas been collected in the bottom of the trap T is then forced up throughthe pipe V and flows into the water supply tank W, while the vaporpressure escapes through the escape pipe A provided for the purpose inthe tank W. Thisprocess is automatically repeated at intervals as thecondensed water collects in the bottom of the trap T. I

Although in the present exemplification of the preferred constructionand arrangement of the several parts, it is to be understood thatvarious changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

What is claimedas new is 1. In combination, a motor vehicle, having ahood member, a condenser located at arranged one in adva'nce'of theother, a fan arranged adjacent each condenser for inducing a current ofair against each of the from passing from one condenser condensers, andmeans for preventing the heated air passing from one of the condensersfrom being directed against another condenser.

3. In combination, a motor vehicle, a plurality of condensers mountedthereon and arranged in tandel-n, means for directing air against andover the outsideof said con-- denser-s, and a partition disposedbetween, said condensers to prevent the heated air and against anothercondenser.

4. In combination, a motor vehicle, two

condensers mounted thereon, and a hood covering the space between thecondensers for directinga current of air against one Condenser andconveying the heated air away from the other condenser.

5. In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers mounted thereon, ahood covering the space between the condensers, and a partition dividingsaid space into two sections whereby the heated air will be directedaway from one condenser and unheated air will be directed to the othercondenser.

In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers mounted thereon, onearranged in advance of the other, means for directing air against andover the outer surface of the respective condensers, and a partitiondisposed between said condensers to prevent the heated air from passingfrom one condenser and against the other condenser.

7. In combination, a motor vehicle, two. condensers mounted thereon andarranged one in advance of the other, a hood covering the space betweenthe condensers, and

a partition cooperating with the hood to divide the space into twocompartments, each of said condensers being arranged adjacent one of thecompartments, the forward end and bottom of one of the compartmentsbeing open for the admission'and exitof air and the other compartmenthaving inlet and outlet openings for the admission and exit of air. I

8. In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers mounted thereon andarranged one in advance of the other, a hood co'vermg the space betweenthe condensers, a partition cooperating with the hood to divide "thespace into two compartments, each oi said condensers being arrangedadjacent one of the compartments, the forward end and bottom of one ofthe compartments being open for the admission and exit of air and theother compartment having inlet and outlet openings for theadmission andexit of air, and a fan adjacent the open end of each of saidcompartments for causing a circulation of the air.

9. In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers mounted thereon, onearranged in advance of the other, a hood covering the space between thecondensers, a partition dividing said space into two sections, and a fanon each side of said partition for inducing separate currents of air tothe respective condensers.

10. In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers thereon, a hoodcovering the space between the condensers, a partition cooperating withthe hood to .divide the said space into two compartments, one of saidcondensers being arranged at the forward end of one compartment, theother condenser &

each condenser and respectively on opposite sides of said partition, oneof the fans inducing an unheated current of air through the forwardcompartment and the other fan inducing an unheated current of airthrough the rear compartment.

11. In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers mounted thereon andarranged one in advance of the other, a hood covering the space betweenthe condensers, a partition cotiperating with the hood to divide thesaid space into two compartments, said hood having openings for thepurpose of inducing a current of air through the rear compartment, and afan located in the forward compartment to induce a current of airthrough it.

12. In combination, a motor vehicle, two

condensers mounted thereon and arranged one in advance of the other,means whereby separate currents of air will be directed against and overthe outer surface of each of the condensers by the advance of thevehicle.

13. In combination, a motor; vehicle, two condensers mounted. thereonand arranged one in advance of the other, a hood covering the spacebetween the condensers and a partition cooperating with the hood todivide the said space into two compartments, each of said condensersbeing arranged ad acent one of the compartments, both of saidcompartments being adapted to receive separate air currents by theadvance of the vehicle.

14. In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers mounted thereon andarranged one in advance of the other, a hood covering the space betweenthe condensers, and a partition dividing the said space into twocompartments, means whereby air will directly engage the forwardcondenser, and means for deflecting air against the rear condenser bythe advance of the vehicle.

15. In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers mounted thereon andarranged one in advance of the other, a hood covering the space betweenthe condensers and a partition cooperating with the hood to divide thesaid space into two compartments, one of said condensers being arrangedadjacent the rear compartment, said hood having openings for the freeadmission of air to the rear compartment whereby said compartment willbe adapted to receive an air current by the advance of the vehicle.

16. In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers mounted thereon andarranged one in advance of the other, a hood covering the space betweenthe condensers, a partition dividing the said space into two CO1I1-partments, said hood having openings back of the partitiononly, andmeans whereby a current of air induced by the advance of the vehiclewill enterone of the compartments through its forward end only, and

at the forwardend of one compartment the other condenser being arrangedat the rear end of the other compartment, said'compartment being adaptedto receive separate air currents by the advance of the vehicle.

18. In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers mounted thereon andarranged one in advance of the other, a hood covering the space betweenthe condensers, a partition dividing the said space-into twocompartments, said hood' being provided with openings, means whereby acurrent of air will be induced by the advance of the vehicle to enterone compartment through its forward end only, and the other compartmentthrou h the said openings, and a fan arranged a jacent each condenserand respectively on opposite sides of the partition.

19. In combination, a motor vehicle, two

condensers mounted thereon and hood covering the space between thecondensers, and a generator located in said space.

20. In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers mounted thereon, ahood covering the space between the condensers, a generator located insaid space, and a partition disposed between the condensers to preventthe products of combustion from the generator from passing to andagainst one of the condensers.

21. In combination, a motor vehicle, two

condensers mounted thereon, a hood covering the space between thecondensers, a generator located in said space and a partition arrangedbetween and spaced from the condensers, said partition partiallysurrounding the said generator for conducting the proddensers and apartition arranged to divide said space into twocompartments, one ofsaid compartments being ada ted to con vey awaythe products of comustion fromthe generator.

23. In combination, a motor vehicle, two spaced condensers mountedthereon and arranged one in advance of the other, a hood covering thespace between the condensers,

a partitlon cooperating with the hood to'divide the said space into twocompartments, said hood being provided with, apertures back of thepartition for admitting air to the rear compartment to be directedagainst the rear condenser, and a generator in the forward compartment,said partition being spaced from the generator to prevent the aircurrents directed to the rear condenser thereof.

25. The combination of a motor vehicle,

I a' generator mounted upon the front of the vehicle, a hood coveringthegenerator, said hood having an'open front, means for causing currentsof'air to circulate into the hood through the front thereof and aroundthe generator, and means for causing the air heated by the generator topass out of the hood through the front thereof when the air is notpassing into said hood.

26. In combination, a motor vehicle, two condensers mounted thereon andarranged one in advance of the other, a hood covering the space betweenthe condensers, a generator arranged in saidspace, a partition 00-.operating with the hood to divide the space into two compartments and toseparate the condensers, and means whereby separate currents of air maybe induced through each of the compartments and condensers.

27. In combination, a motor vehicle,- a condenser mounted thereon forcondensing the exhaust vapor from the engine, a generator, a. fluidsupply tank for the generator, a trap for receiving the fluid from thecondenser, and means whereby the pressure in the condenser willdischarge the accumulate}? condensed fluid in the trap intov the tan28'. In combination, a motor vehicle, a condenser mounted thereon forcondensing the exhaust vapor from the engine, a genera-tor, a fluidsupply tank for the generator, a trap for receiving the fluid from thecondenser, and means whereby the pressure in the condenser willintermittently discharge the accumulated condensed fluid in the trapinto the tank at a higher level.

29. In combination, a motor vehicle, a condenser mounted thereon forcondensing the exhaust vapor from the engine, a gem erator, a'fluidsupply tank for the generator,

a trap for receiving the fluid from the condenser, said tank beinglocated at a higher level than the trap, and means whereby the pressurein the condenser will discharge the condensed fluid from the trap intothe tank. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to thisspecification, in the presehce of two subscribing witnesses, on thisseventh day of January A.D. 1909.

CHAS. C. WORTHINGTON. Witnesses M. R. 'WoR'rHINo'roN, 'C. N. COLLIEBE.

